Normothermic ex vivo heart and lung autoperfusion: assessment of functional status and metabolism

Abstract

Objective: to carry out a comparative study of the efficacy of a 6-hour normothermic ex vivo heart and lung autoperfusion and cold cardioplegia using Bretschneider’s solution (Custodiol®, Germany).Materials and methods. Landrace pigs weighing 50 ± 5 kg at the age of 4–5 months (n = 10) were used as a model for a series of acute experiments. In the experimental group (n = 5), the cardiopulmonary complex was conditioned by autoperfusion for 6 hours. In the control group, the heart pumping function was restored after 6-hour cold cardioplegia using Bretschneider’s solution. The efficiency of graft preservation was assessed by measuring hemodynamic parameters, myocardial contractile function, and myocardial oxygen consumption.Results. After reperfusion and repeated isolation of the working cardiopulmonary complex, cardiac output was 0.63 [0.37; 0.8] L/min and 0.37 [0.23; 0.37] L/min in the experimental and control groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Indicators – global left ventricular stroke work index and preload recruitable stroke work – were significantly higher in the experimental group (p < 0.05).Conclusion. Normothermic autoperfusion is significantly more effective in preserving the morphofunctional status of a donor heart than static cold storage with Bretschneider solution for 6 hours.